Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming says it's ’hard to know’ if actor is aware of dementia diagnosis

Bruce Willis’ wife has fought back tears while speaking for the first time since the Hollywood legend’s dementia diagnosis, as she discusses the actor’s deteriorating health.

Six months after Bruce Willis was diagnosed with dementia, his wife has revealed for the first time that it’s “hard to know” whether the actor is aware of his condition and deteriorating health.

Model Emma Heming said that she has been a “care partner” to her husband since the moment of the diagnosis.

She described the 68-year-old actor as the “gift that keeps on giving” who has taught his family “love, patience and resilience” in the midst of their grief.

“Dementia is hard. It’s hard on the person diagnosed, it’s also hard on the family,” Heming, 45, told US TV host Hoda Kotb in an interview on Today.

“And that is no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. When they say this is a family disease, it really is.

Bruce Willis with his wife Emma Heming.

Scout Willis with her father Bruce.

“The most important thing was to be able for us to say what the disease was, explain what it is.”

The actor’s family announced in March 2022 that he was battling aphasia, a condition which was “impacting his cognitive abilities”.

In February 2023, Willis’ daughter Rumer revealed his condition had progressed and he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

It is a rare form of the disease that causes a deterioration in behaviour, personality, and language.

“To finally understand what was happening, so that I could be into the acceptance of what is,” Heming said.

Demi Moore has remained supportive of her ex Bruce Willis. Picture: Instagram

“It doesn’t make it any less painful, but just being … in the know of what is happening to Bruce makes it a little easier.

“When you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint it sort of all makes sense.”

Heming, who shares daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9, with the actor, said her husband’s diagnosis is “teaching them so much how to love, how to care, and it’s a really beautiful thing among the sadness.”

“So it was important that we let them know what it is because I don’t want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad’s diagnosis or for any form of dementia,” she said.

Bruce Willis with wife Emma and one of his children. Picture: instagram

When asked if the Hollywood legend is aware of what’s going on, Heming paused before responding: “Hard to know.”

“I know it looks like I’m out living my best life, [but] I have to make a conscious effort every single day to live the best life that I can,” Heming said.

“I do that for myself, I do that for our two children and [I do that for] Bruce, who would not want me to live any other way.

“So I don’t want it to be misconstrued that I’m good, ’cause I’m not. I’m not good.”

Originally published as Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming says it's ’hard to know’ if actor is aware of dementia diagnosis